Priscilla Hein

February 10, 2002
(INDIANAPOLIS) Invaders' Priscilla Hein finished 10th at the USA World Cross Country Trials on February 10, 2002 in Vancouver Washington. Hein had sought to improve on her 10th place finish of 2001; however, she has been battling illness since competing in Ireland in January. Hein was less than 8 seconds from making the national team in both 2001 and 2002.

Coach Greg Harger said, "Yes, with as much progress as she's made since last year and as well as she's recently raced it was a disappointing weekend. However, if this was not a national championship she wouldn't have run. Since returning from Ireland with a bacterial intestional infection Hein has been weak & vunerable health-wise and she also caught the flu."

Harger added, "Since last year she has run with and has beaten some of those that have finished ahead of her this weekend. Yes, we're disappointed about this weekend, but we're excited about the upcoming outdoor season. Her fitness is at a high level and I'm not disappointed in her effort. She had the race of her life. She stepped out there and executed her race plan on a empty gas tank. Every athlete at some point in their career has to deal with circumstances beyond their control. She handled this weekend very well and she knows the level of performance that she can do in the future. When people see her next they'll see her race at a very high level."

In January of 2002, Hein competed in the Rás na hÉireann International in Dunleer Co. Louth Ireland and finished second to Irish champion Anne Keenan-Buckley. Before competing in Belfast's IAAF Challenge the next week Hein developed intestional problems. However, in Belfast Hein went on to finish seventh in a formidable international field of athletes.

USA World CC Trials:
Complete Results

For additional information on the Indiana Invaders, please contact Greg Harger at 317 289-4018 or online at: (email)